Builds Billy's excellent FJ73-12HT - resto-modded - n that (2 Viewers)

[Billyfj7312ht]

Looking really good. That hood scoop is huge! I suppose if you have the factory windshield bumpers on the hood, the hood scoop wouldn't fit?

I don't think it would fit. It wasn't really an option for me as some of our flying bugs are the size of a small birds so wearing goggles isn't an option.


I'm committed now.
After calculating where the intercooler will go I made the largest hole I could without taking too much structural and keeping within the inside of the scoop.

The hole is 570mm x 190mm and will hopefully cover 2/3rds of the 600mm x 300mm intercooler once the rear cross over pipe is removed.



Also......for people who might want to make a scoop using minimal material.

 

[cruiserpilot]

Yeah, but here we'd use duct tape, 'camo' duct tape, cause redneck! LOL!

 

[Billyfj7312ht]

Tacked the frame to the underside of the hood and applied some more polyurethane sealant here and there.

Turned up some 5mm studs with points to use as a centre punch for the hood captive nuts.

Drilled and shaped the holes for the wiper fluid.

Ended up getting the rear section of the moulded vinyl mat.

Also fitted off some more of the dash.

 

[Billyfj7312ht]

I finished repairing the factory flares and had a chance to compare them with some aftermarket flares.

Surprising how much heavier they are than the after market ones for a start, with
strengthening ribs and can not be squeezed out of shape unlike the aftermarket ones.

Maybe the flex helps them not pull off the body as easy?? although you do have to drill through the guards.

I fitted the seats and suspension bases.

View attachment 1516621

 

[cruiserpilot]

Looking good, J

 

[Guu]

I fitted some of those seats, did your base plate mount up ok? The 73 has uneven mounting points unlike the 75 so I had to use some box section on the side closest the door to make the seat level.

Dash looks great!

 

[Billyfj7312ht]

I fitted some of those seats, did your base plate mount up ok? The 73 has uneven mounting points unlike the 75 so I had to use some box section on the side closest the door to make the seat level.

Dash looks great!

I used the suspension bases out of a 73 series so after cutting the factory tower mounts out it lined up with the captive nuts that were already in the floor of my 73 series

 

[Billyfj7312ht]

Started messing with my front bar. Got some 3mm MDF board from work.

I wanted to keep everything as close to the body as possible. I'm thinking of having a steel profile pressed oversize in length, then mitering and tapering the ends and a few shaped brackets and winch shelf. That's the plan anyhow.

winch shelf.

View attachment 1522032

At this point I realised I do not want my winch to be so exposed out the top of the bar so I am going to add 50mm to the height of the bar (split 25mm higher and 25mm lower).

 

[tmarx]

What type of seats are you using ?

 

[Billyfj7312ht]

What type of seats are you using ?

here's the link buddy, they also come in PU leather. I'll be fitting seat covers to mine.

Adventurer 4X4 Outback Seat Cloth Black

 

[tmarx]

Wow they are nice, thanks !

 

[ozcrusier]

She's looking good Billy

 

[AussieHJCruza]

here's the link buddy, they also come in PU leather. I'll be fitting seat covers to mine.

Adventurer 4X4 Outback Seat Cloth Black

Be interested to hear your feedback on these seats once you get a bit of driving time in them please!

 

[ALX4X4]

Probably too late now but on my 80series we actually grafted the 78 frame under the hood to avoid any cut bracing at all.

 

[ALX4X4]

Finished item, lovin' your build thread.

 

[Billyfj7312ht]

Been collecting stuff awaiting paint and panel so I can fit them off.
As usual ordering genuine Toyota parts online is a bit of a lottery, so as I've ordered parts I needed I've also ordered other stuff on and off over a 18 mth period. Some things I have ordered 3 or 4 times because of availability. I also found a warn winch on Gum Tree, some seat covers and a hawse fair lead. I'll post part numbers after I fit them off just to make sure there's no mistakes.

Aircon knobs
rear doors seals - not sure if I ordered 1/2 or full?
2 X front wheel arch plastic protectors
4 x front door glass rubber blades
3 x Cowl vents
Side mirrors and gaskets
Radiator support bolts, brackets and rubber bushes
Windscreen rubber.
Along with some parts already stored.

Told the wife they'll be there a week...


Just waiting on my car to come back from the diesel specialist for the smoking problem.

Motors been given the all clear and say they have reduced the smoking by 80%, hopefully I'll have a full report by end of coming week.
On the hunt now for a shut down VSV and a second fuel filter.

Been chasing the RED "TURBO" badge for the 60 series front grill for ages now, so if anyone has one just sitting around let me know.

 

[Billyfj7312ht]

Thought I'd utilize my down time without the truck.
Made a portable booth to keep the overspray down now that it's all smaller pieces. It folds back up to the ceiling when not used.

I washed 30 years of mold and grease off the door frame/trim seals, plastic brackets, seat belts and foot well scuffs.

They came up pretty good but there's some brown trim in among some of it and stains and fading from UV damage so decided to paint it all grey/blue to match other cabin trim and the 2 Pac will strengthen some of the sun damaged plastic.

Also prepped the brown gauge pod and the dash pad.

 

[Billyfj7312ht]

Before:

After:

I'll get some better photos when fitted up in the day light.
The trucks back from diesel shop and my mechanic is fitting up some bits I dropped off today. Hopefully get him back for next weekend so trying to line up everything to go on....and I spose and I'll have to start thinking about moving the painted body parts from the spare bedroom

 

[Billyfj7312ht]

Had a good 2 day run. Cut the dash pad to take the gauge pod mount.

Drilled a hole in the top of the dash under the pod for the wiring.

 

[Billyfj7312ht]

Gave the hinges and some panels a final coat of 2 pac, then sprayed some lithium grease into the hinge joints.

Thought I'd give the flares a bit of a go next so I got the brackets out I prepared earlier.